Sima Yi said: "This technique is also a strategy to defeat the enemy. Although standing firm is a safe strategy, it also means sitting back and waiting for death. What if Zhou Yu is here?"
Xia Houdun frowned and said: "If Zhou Lang's son was here, he probably wouldn't hold on like this. He would definitely send out troops to attack and defend. But now Soochow is wholeheartedly defending, what can we do?"
"Of course!" Sima Yi said with a smile: "If you scare the rats in their burrow, some will flee or fight back. I predict that among the generals in the city there will be someone who is in charge of the battle. All we need to do is launch a fierce attack and they will send out troops."
Xiahou Dun touched his chin: "Hiss—it seems to make sense."
Xun You suddenly said: "What Zhongda said is absolutely true. We all believe that Shouchun is strong and refuse to attack with all our strength. The Wu army relies on the city and is content with it. Now is the time to face the difficulties and let the thieves know my determination to take the city. Change will inevitably occur over time, and the city will be destroyed if it changes!"
Cao Hong patted Xiahou Dun on the shoulder and laughed: "I have long said that Zhongda's tricks... are full of cleverness, look at it -"
Sima Yi said humbly: "It's not just that I'm superior in skill, but it's only a matter of observation. The prime minister and you all know that Shouchun is strong and don't want to waste our troops. It's human nature."
All the generals nodded after hearing this, thinking that it was indeed the case. It was not that we were inferior to this little boy, but that we simply did not want to attack Shouchun.
Xun You looked at Sima Yi while stroking his beard, and sighed secretly: After serving as a filial piety, the prime minister has gained another genius.
Sima Yi had a long-term vision. Apart from anything else, just breaking away from the routine and doing the opposite was something that few people could do.
Many things seem simple and can be solved with just one click, but those in authority are confused, and those who can detach themselves from the outside world can often control the overall situation and strategize.
The next day, news spread among Cao Cao's army that Cao Cao was seriously ill and could not take charge of military affairs. He was recuperating in Pengcheng and ordered Xiahou Dun to attack Shouchun.
Xiahou Dun led his troops to approach Shouchun, set up camp, and ordered Cao Hong, Zang Ba, and Cao Xiu to attack Shouchun, leaving only the south gate for the Wu army to retreat.
After half a month of calm, Shouchun once again heard a loud killing sound. The Wu army had not rested for a long time. Seeing the menacing attack of Cao's army, they hurriedly prepared themselves and lost many soldiers at first.
Since the Battle of Guandu, Cao's army's siege equipment has been greatly enhanced. The wells can be as high as five feet. The soldiers can look down on the city as if they are in the clouds and can control all movements.
The catapult was modified by Liu Ye and others, which not only enhanced the range, but also could hit five or six boulders at a time. Once it was fired, it was like a thunderbolt with terrifying power, so it was renamed the catapult.
Others, such as rams, ladders, etc., are all available. Strong bows and crossbows are arranged neatly, which is also a great threat to the defenders.
For three consecutive days, Cao's army attacked like a tide, filling up the moat and fighting to the bottom of the city. Le Jin personally led the troops to attack the city. Some people had already boarded the city, and the morale of Cao's army was high.
The sunset was like blood, reflecting the mountains of corpses outside Shouchun City. The scene was shocking.
After Cao's army retreated, Cheng Pu summoned the generals to discuss matters. Although the defenders had an advantage, Cao's army was powerful and the offensive was overwhelming, and the generals were exhausted.
Zhou Yu went back to recuperate from his injuries. Everyone thought that Cheng Pu would take over as the governor, but Zhou Yu recommended Lu Su as the governor of Huainan. Everyone was puzzled.
After Lu Su took office, he first passed the order to General Sun Quan. Zhou Yu saw that the Shouchun city was strong and expected that Cao's army would not attack by force. He ordered the entire army to train troops and raise soldiers, stabilize the people and store grain, and stabilize the Huainan defense line.
Then he ordered Cheng Pu to continue to be in charge of the troops and horses to guard against Cao Cao, while he went to Hefei to supervise the construction of waterways. Once the Huaihe River, Feishui River, and Chaohu waterways were opened, and the Huainan soldiers had enough food, they could fight against Cao Cao's army.
Cheng Pu frowned and said, "Cao's army is attacking Shouchun so fiercely. It seems that they are determined to win Shouchun. The two governors' expectations are different. What should we do?"
Dong Xi sighed: "If this continues, even if Shouchun is an earth mountain, it will be razed to the ground by Cao's army. I'm afraid they won't be able to open up the waterway."
Lu Meng said: "Shou Chun is strong, with sufficient food, grass and equipment. There are 20,000 defenders in the city, which will last for half a year. The rainy season is coming again this year, and Cao's army will retreat soon."
Huang Gai said angrily: "Cao's army is so aggressive. He is clearly trying to deceive me because there is no one in Jiangdong. I will go out of the city tomorrow to confront the enemy."
Lu Fan also said: "Both the Marquis of Wu and the Grand Governor have general orders, and we are not allowed to go to war. If Cao's army suddenly attacks, I'm afraid there is another trick."
Huang Gai laughed and said: "Don't you hear that the general is out and the emperor is not accepting your orders? Although Lu Zijing has wisdom and strategy, he does not understand the art of war and can only talk about war on paper. Whether to fight or not depends on the situation of the front army."
Dong Xi also said: "If you listen to what these scribes say, Jiangdong has already been handed over to Cao's thieves during the Battle of Ruxu. If we want to open up the territory and protect the territory, we still need to fight with blood."
Lu Meng had a very close friendship with Lu Su and treated him like a brother in private. He hurriedly said: "The Governor of Lu is not like Zhang Zibu. Although he cannot lead troops, his talents are no less than those of the Great Governor. Otherwise, how can he take over the important post of Governor of Huainan?"
Cheng Pu's eyes were slightly gleaming, and he glanced at Lu Meng, thinking that the younger generation of Jiangdong no longer pays attention to me and other veterans.
In the past, he disobeyed Zhou Yu, but after several battles he obeyed his advice. Now that Zhou Yu has retired from injury, he actually said that Lu Su is as talented as Zhou Yu. Am I still ranked below Lu Su?
But after all, he is a veteran of Jiangdong, with high moral character and high respect. Although he is unhappy in his heart, he will not care about the younger generation. He twists his beard with his hand and frowns.
The generals immediately began to quarrel. Huang Gai and others advocated fighting. Cao Jun was so arrogant that he attacked and refused to fight back. The Jiangdong man must be laughed at.
Only Lu Meng and Lu Fan advocated defense. Although the Cao army's offensive was fierce, it would not last long. The damage would be more serious and they would retreat sooner or later.
Cheng Pu couldn't make up his mind, so he ordered all the generals to retreat and rest. He went to inspect the city alone and saw Cao Jun's camp outside the city surrounding Shouchun. The torches were all bright and the light was as bright as day.
Cheng Zi said: "Now the generals are arguing, and since it is difficult for my father to make a decision, why not send someone to ask the Governor of Lu and let him make the decision?"
Cheng Pu held the city wall in his hand and said coldly: "Lu Zijing entrusted me with general affairs. If you go to ask at this time, your father will really be inferior to Lu Su!"
Cheng Zi was stunned and realized that his old father had the highest seniority in the army, second only to Zhou Yu, and he would never show weakness to Lu Su again.
After thinking for a moment, he said: "From my child's point of view, if the traitor Cao personally leads the troops to attack the city, he may have other tricks. But I heard that Cao Cao has a headache and is still recovering in Pengcheng. Xiahou Dun is no more than a warrior, so there is nothing to be afraid of."
"Huh?" Cheng Pu paused for a moment, then the fog cleared. He twisted his beard and said with a smile, "My son has made great progress in the past few years through his military experience!"
After all, Cheng Zi was also a second-generation general. He was arrogant and arrogant. He cupped his fists and said, "The child has been taught by his father since he was a child. He is familiar with military books and often takes the governor as his role model. Although he is still far from it, isn't he as good as Lü Meng, a reckless warrior?"
Cheng Pu laughed for a while, and then scolded: "Although my father has made great achievements in Jiangdong, he never relies on his old age to sell off his old age, let alone"
Cheng Zi looked at the smile on his old father's face and hurriedly clasped his fists and said, "My father is a man of great moral character and a good philanthropist. He is respected by everyone in Jiangdong. A child is not as good as a child."
"Between you and me, father and son, there is no need to be so complimentary!" Cheng Pu waved his hands, smiled and scolded, and ordered: "The three generals Chen Wu, Ding Feng and Dong Xi are here to listen to the order."
